Dogs fastpitch hangs with top-rated Pirates

Whitefish softball suffered another loss last week, falling 10-0 at Polson Yet, despite being shut out, Whitefish coach Carrie Lamb said the game signaled her team is on the track to playing competitive ball.

“It’s encouraging that we held a team like Polson to 10 runs,” Lamb said. “The girls realize how tough the conference is. We’re just trying to take these teams a full game.”

Halle Reading and Malia Morris held the Lady Pirates to just six hits.

Jordan Sletten and Kenzie Carl each tallied a hit to break up Polson’s no-hit bid.

Lamb says her roster has the most depth she’s seen in years.

“The really exciting thing is that we have a competitive JV team this year,” Lamb said. “Some of the JV kids are capable or more than we knew they were.

“We can play them up. That allows us to put nine solid hitters into the lineup and defenders on the field.”

Morris and Georgia Donaldson are leading off the lineup.

“They’re our fastest batters,” Lamb said.

Carl and Madi Davis typically hit cleanup.

“ Kenzie is naturally talented,” Lamb said. “She’s new to the game and learns a lot every day. Her and Madi are good bats for us.”

Sophomore shortstop Sletten has shown her ability on both sides of the ball.

“She’s really aggressive in the batter’s box, competitive on the bases, and plays heads-up ball,” Lamb said.

Morris was moved to catcher this year to put a veteran behind the plate and cut down on errors. She is replaced at center field by Micah McFeely.

“Micah does great out there,” Lamb said. “And with Malia at catcher, we’ve eliminated some passed balls. She’s doing a real solid for the team.”

Starting pitcher Reading has taken her position in the circle with a new competitive edge.

“She wants to be stronger and maintain that position,” Lamb said.

The team has set a few goals for the season. They want to win at least five games and post a team batting average above .300.

“It’s a reasonable goal, but our conference is a tough place to be,” Lamb said. “Libby could be the fourth best team in the state and still miss the playoffs.”

Lamb said Whitefish scheduled in games that should be more competitive outside of conference play.

Whitefish plays at the Frenchtown Tournament this weekend.

Whitefish 000 00 — 0 2 4

Polson 225 1x — 10 6 0

Halle Reading and Malia Morris; Jessica Bagnell, Jaylin Kenney (4) and Kenney, Sarah Rausch (4). W — Bagnell (7-2). L — Reading.

WHITEFISH — Morris 0-2, Georgia Donaldson 0-2, Jordan Sletten 1-2, Micah McFeely 0-2, Kenzie Carl 1-2, Madi Davis 0-2, Michaela McDowell 0-1, Abby Reese 0-2. Savannah Eisenbarth 0-2.

POLSON — Kenney 1-4, Jaiden Toth 1-1, Bagnell 2-2, Hannah Potter 0-2, Kaelen Wall 0-3, Taylor Brackey 0-2, Rausch 0-3, Kyrie Bitterman 1-2, Lydia Dupuis 1-2, Skyla Krantz 0-1, Julia Sanderson 0-0.